A South African parliamentary committee is set to request an extension to complete its investigation into allegations of a drug cartel’s infiltration of the country’s policing and politics. The committee, established to probe claims made by KwaZulu-Natal provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, will also visit Kgosi Mampuru prison to hear testimony from Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala, a key figure in the inquiry.

The committee’s investigation is one of two processes underway to examine Mkhwanazi’s allegations, with the other being the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry. Matlala’s name emerged during the commission’s proceedings, where he was identified as a member of the Big Five drug cartel, which is accused of infiltrating South Africa’s policing and potentially funding political parties’ campaigns.

In a recent parliamentary meeting, MPs were updated on progress in arranging Matlala’s testimony. The committee’s work is crucial in uncovering the truth behind Mkhwanazi’s allegations, which have sparked widespread concern about the integrity of South Africa’s law enforcement and political systems.

Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, who has been placed on special leave by President Cyril Ramaphosa pending the outcome of the investigations, has acknowledged that his lawyers are engaged with the matter. The parliamentary committee’s visit to Kgosi Mampuru prison to hear Matlala’s testimony is a significant development in the inquiry, which is expected to shed more light on the alleged links between organized crime and South Africa’s policing and politics.

As the investigation continues, the parliamentary committee’s findings will be closely watched, given the far-reaching implications of Mkhwanazi’s allegations. The committee’s extension request and planned visit to the prison underscore the complexity and seriousness of the matter, which has prompted calls for greater transparency and accountability in South Africa’s law enforcement and political spheres. The outcome of the inquiry is expected to have significant consequences for the country’s efforts to combat organized crime and ensure the integrity of its institutions.